How to Communicate When the Internet Goes Down: Common Radio Frequencies
Jun 20, 2025
Most HAM programmable radios allow access to transmit and receive certain frequencies. In case of emergency, you can broadcast on any channel, but be aware that it's not legal to operate on certain channels unless you're licensed, authorized or it's a life threatening emergency.
That said, I've listed as many of the useful frequencies as you're likely need in every day life below.
🚨 1. Emergency Frequency for Public Safety (U.S./Canada)
Channel / Frequency | Use Case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
155.160 MHz (VHF) | Nationwide EMS Coordination (U.S.) | Known as "EMS HEAR" in many regions |
155.475 MHz | National Law Enforcement Emergency | Called "LAW TAC" or "NLEEF" — monitored by police |
151.940 MHz | Search and Rescue (SAR common) | Often used by wilderness response units |
168.625 MHz | U.S. National Interagency Incident Communications (fire/forestry) | Federal use — Rx only unless authorized |
⚠️ These are not legal for civilians to transmit on — but in a life-threatening emergency, 47 CFR § 97.403 or equivalent law allows you to transmit on any frequency to protect life or property.
🧭 FRS/GMRS Channel-to-Frequency Map
These frequencies allow you to program your handheld radio to the same channels as the cheaper FRS/GMRS radios you can purchase anywhere to allow you to tag into a group that's using FRS/GMRS radios.
Channel | Frequency (MHz) | FRS Power | GMRS Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 462.5625 | 2W | 5W | Shared |
2 | 462.5875 | 2W | 5W | Shared |
3 | 462.6125 | 2W | 5W | Shared |
4 | 462.6375 | 2W | 5W | Shared |
5 | 462.6625 | 2W | 5W | Shared |
6 | 462.6875 | 2W | 5W | Shared |
7 | 462.7125 | 2W | 5W | Shared |
8 | 467.5625 | 0.5W | ❌ Not allowed | FRS only |
9 | 467.5875 | 0.5W | ❌ Not allowed | FRS only |
10 | 467.6125 | 0.5W | ❌ Not allowed | FRS only |
11 | 467.6375 | 0.5W | ❌ Not allowed | FRS only |
12 | 467.6625 | 0.5W | ❌ Not allowed | FRS only |
13 | 467.6875 | 0.5W | ❌ Not allowed | FRS only |
14 | 467.7125 | 0.5W | ❌ Not allowed | FRS only |
15 | 462.5500 | 2W | 50W | Shared |
16 | 462.5750 | 2W | 50W | Shared |
17 | 462.6000 | 2W | 50W | Shared |
18 | 462.6250 | 2W | 50W | Shared |
19 | 462.6500 | 2W | 50W | Shared |
20 | 462.6750 | 2W | 50W | Shared + Repeater Input |
21 | 462.7000 | 2W | 50W | Shared |
22 | 462.7250 | 2W | 50W | Shared + Repeater Input |
📡 Common Marine Channels (Selected)
Technically these frequencies are supposed to be for marine use only to communicate with marine traffic. You shouldn't be using these frequencies on land except to communicate with marine traffic. Not that 156.800 is for emergency use only and if you're in proximity of a yacht club, marine centre, coast guard, this channel will usually be monitored and will be able to raise help.
Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Use | Tx/Rx Split? |
|---|---|---|---|
16 | 156.800 | Distress, hailing, emergency | No (simplex) |
09 | 156.450 | Secondary hailing, bridge-to-bridge | No |
13 | 156.650 | Ship-to-ship (navigational) | No |
06 | 156.300 | Intership safety (SAR, fire) | No |
22A | 157.100 Tx / 161.700 Rx | USCG Liaison (after contact on Ch. 16) | Yes (duplex) |
WX1–WX10 | 162.400–162.550 | NOAA Weather Broadcasts | Receive only |
🛩️ Aviation Emergency Frequency: 121.500 MHz
Again, this channel should be a last option. As you see below, it's monitored by Air Traffic Control, military, commercial aircraft and coast guard. It should be used for dire emergencies only. But it is always monitored, so in case of last resort, someone will be listening as long as your signal is strong enough to reach them.
Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
Frequency | 121.500 MHz |
Band | VHF AM (not FM) |
Nickname | "Guard" |
Use | International aeronautical emergency & distress |
Monitored by | ATC, military, commercial aircraft, coast guard |
Modulation | AM, narrowband |
Purpose | MAYDAY, lost comms, interception, ELT distress |
🎙 Amateur Radio (HAM) Emergency Frequencies
Band | Frequency (MHz) | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
2m | 146.520 | Simplex calling / emergency | National 2m calling freq |
70cm | 446.000 | UHF calling / emergency | Often clear in cities |
HF | 3.873, 7.200, 14.300 | HAM emergency nets (voice) | Mayday traffic accepted |
✅ If you're licensed (or in a true emergency), HAM radio is one of the most effective emergency broadcast tools on land — including international reach.
📡 Unofficial / Civilian Emergency Standards
Channel | Frequency | Context |
|---|---|---|
MURS CH1 | 151.820 MHz | Used by some preppers |
CB CH9 | 27.065 MHz (AM) | Traditional U.S. emergency CB channel |
CB CH19 | 27.185 MHz (AM) | Monitored by truckers |
These are free to use and legally accessible, though less reliable than dedicated services.
✅ TL;DR: Best Emergency Options
Frequency | Use Case | Tx Allowed? | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
155.160 MHz | EMS, SAR coordination | ❌ (except emergency) | Regional VHF |
462.5625 MHz (FRS CH 1) | Civilian/prepper emergency | ✅ (FRS legal) | 1–3 km (handheld) |
406.025 MHz | PLB/SAR beacon to satellite | ✅ (special device only) | Global |
146.520 MHz | HAM VHF emergency | ✅ (if licensed or emergency) | 5–30 km |
121.500 MHz | Aviation Guard (land/air/sea) | ✅ (emergency only) | Global monitoring |
27.065 MHz | CB emergency (CH9) | ✅ (legal) | 5–10 km (AM, no license) |
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